CC hockey notes: Tigers land two during early signing period

Colorado College signed forward Trey Bradley and defenseman Teemu Kivihalme to national letters of intent during the early signing period, which ends Wednesday.

Bradley, a high school senior listed at 5-foot-9, 155 pounds, is doing very well in his first junior hockey season with the Wenatchee Wild of the North American Hockey League. The Tampa, Fla., native has 19 points (10 assists) in 18 games. He is the younger brother of sophomore center Cody.

"Trey is a skilled left-handed forward who can score and set up others," Tigers coach Scott Owens said. "He's small but he is competitive."

Kivihalme, a 2013 fifth-round (120th overall) draft pick by the NHL's Nashville, is tied for fourth in points (four, three assists) for the Fargo Force of the United States Hockey League.

The 6-foot, 157-pounder's totals are for only eight games since the Savage, Minn., native played for gold medal-winning Team USA in the recent World Junior Challenge.

"Kivihalme is an excellent skating defenseman," Owens said. "He is strong defensively and has offensive skill."

Owens said whether the players will join the program next fall or the following season is to be determined.

The team will add a forward and perhaps a goalie during the spring signing period, if a goalie isn't brought in as a midseason replacement.

Marble focusing on rehab, classwork this season

A recent MRI revealed a torn labrum in freshman goalie Tyler Marble's left shoulder prompting him to undergo season-ending surgery last Wednesday.

Marble said he will be in a sling for four weeks and then undergo six months of rehabilitation before what he expects will be a full recovery. He has applied for an NCAA medical redshirt since he did not appear in any regular-season games.

"I hoped I could heal up and contribute to the team," he said. "Instead I'm going to focus on school and rehab."

He suffered the injury during the first period of the USA U-18 exhibition game on Oct. 12.

Former coach honored before game

Former Air Force and CC coach John Matchefts, who died recently, was recognized before the game with a video tribute.

His widow, Carolyn, and daughter, Toni Freehling, received No. 4 jerseys from both teams with his name on the back.

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